Green light for sports revamp

The redevelopment of St Albans Leisure Centre is a step closer, after Brimbank council outlined a timeline for the multi-million dollar project last week.

The centre, which has been largely neglected since additional facilities were added in 1985, is set for a major facelift in the coming years, with planning well under way for a potential $50 million upgrade.

A consultant has been appointed by the council to develop a design brief and about 15 interested parties contributed their ideas at a Market Sounding workshop conducted in November.

Brimbank mayor Margaret Giudice said the project was long overdue and would deliver many positive benefits for the community.

“There is no denying the St Albans Leisure Centre is an ageing facility with outdated amenities and services that cannot compete with contemporary standards,” Cr Giudice said.

“The redevelopment of the St Albans Leisure Centre will be a major project and a significant investment for council and the community. It’s essential we make the most of the opportunity this presents to deliver a brand new custom-built leisure, aquatic and community facility of which the community can be proud.

“We want to provide a facility that will include a new leisure and aquatic facility, a new community centre and a range of related health and social services all under the one roof.

“We’re hoping to develop a facility that delivers significant, measurable social and health benefits to the community,”

The tender process is due to begin in February, 2018. The council has committed $200,000 in the current budget to start planning and design.

Council’s long term financial plan has earmarked $1.8 million in 2018-19 for design and subsequent funding in 2019-20 and 2020-21 for construction. Construction is expected to begin in April 2019, and is estimated to be completed in December 2020.